Broken We Kneel - A Short Story

Taken from Broken We Kneel

By Diana Butler Bass

One day [my daughter] Emma saw a woman walking toward us covered in a veil and asked the inevitable, “What’s that, mommy?” “Emma,” I answered, “that lady is a Muslim from a far away place. And she dresses like that – and covers her head with a veil – because she loves God. That is how her people show they love God.”

My daughter considered these words. She stared at the woman who passed us. She pointed at the woman, then pointed at my hair, and further quizzed, “Mommy, do you love God?”

“Yes, honey.” I laughed. “I do. You and I are Christians. Christian ladies show love for God by going to church, eating the bread and wine, serving the poor, and giving to those in need. We don’t wear veils, but we do love God.”

After this, Emma took every opportunity to point to Muslim women during our shopping trips and tell me, “Mommy, look, she loves God.” One day, we were getting out of our car at our driveway at the same time as our Pakistani neighbors. Emma saw the mother, beautifully veiled, and, pointing at her shouted, “Look, mommy, she loves God!”

My neighbor was surprised. I told her what I had taught Emma about Muslim ladies loving God. While she held back tears, this near stranger hugged me, saying, “I wish all Americans would teach their children so. The world would be better. The world would be better.

(Quoted from McLaren, B. A Generous Orthodoxy. Pgs 298-299)

Do you see the same beauty I find in this story?

Lunch and Dessert in One!!!

This past weekend has proven to be a rather busy one! With my engagement and graduation in the space of two days, I was completely wiped out by Monday. I couldn’t help but get home from work and hit the sack. I slept like a baby!!! Why do people say they slept like a baby when everyone knows that babies barely sleep at night?

Anyway, what I wanted to share with you before I share about my graduation was the lunch that Megan and I had after my graduation on Saturday. I’m sure many of you have never even heard of this meal let alone actually tried it!!! Megan and I both had chocolate hamburgers for lunch… Megan’s was more of a kiddies burger where as mine was the adult burger. A adult chocolate burger?!?! Megan doesn’t eat much, hence the kiddie burger… Mine was supposed to be a Chocolate and chilli burger, but I really didn’t taste any chilli. Megan’s had sprinkles on hers!!! Meat and sprinkles?!?!? I think we both deserve a round of applause for bravery :)

Although I did enjoy it, I don’t think I’d ever eat it on a regular basis…. A meat patty covered in chocolate sauce is just not the regular meal one looks forward to…

Would you try this burger or have you eaten anything similar?

Memories of Cornerstone Christian College

These are some of the fun and memorable times at Cornerstone Christian College... If there is one thing I want to share about the college, it is that CCC is a AWESOME COLLEGE!!!

I don't take Jesus seriously...

Quoted from Jesus Today – a Spirituality of radical freedom
By Albert Nolan
Pg (XVII)

On the whole we don’t take Jesus seriously – whether we call ourselves Christians or not. There are some remarkable exceptions, but by large we don’t love our enemies, we don’t turn the other cheek, we don’t forgive seventy times seven times, we don’t bless those who curse us, we don’t share what we have with the poor, and we don’t pull our hope and trust in God. We have our excuses. I am no saint. It is not meant for everybody, surely? It’s a great ideal, but it’s not very practical in this day and age.

My proposal will be that we learn to take Jesus seriously, and that it is precisely in this day and age that we need to do so.

Does this piece of writing relate to you?

We have the answer!!!

[This blog is directly aimed at those attending the LifeChurch.tv Internet Campus experiences. However, it is not only limited to them! If you do not attend or have alternatively never heard of LifeChurch.tv, we would still love to hear your views, thoughts and opinions. Above all, we’d love to have you join us for an awesome experience: www.lifechurch.tv/int]

One of the core values of LifeChurch.tv is that we all do life together. We strive to live life the way it was meant to be lived: Together. That is what it is all about. We are the community of God making a difference in each others lives and the world around us.

We are different.

We are children of God.

We are a family.

This is why Bobby and I are serious about helping you find the right life group. We want you to really experience this love we’re talking about. We’ve experienced it and we want you to experience it as well.

A task which is proving to be more complicated than initially anticipated. So we’re asking for your help…

All we need from you is just your thoughts on these areas where we’re brainstorming ourselves…

(1) What is a real community?
(2) How can we as online individuals achieve this concept of community?
(3) What do you enjoy or not enjoy about life groups? (Both online and in the physical sense?)

If you choose to take some time answering all (or even one) of the questions, thank you so much! You are helping us more than you could ever imagine! You’re playing a huge role in helping us build a Biblical online community…

We (both Bobby and I) really appreciate you more than you’ll probably ever know!

We love you all…

I committed adultery and I’m sorry…

“I’m sitting at my computer with tears forming. I am praying, but not with words. This prayer is born in my heart. At this very moment, I’m aware of God’s presence. He is here, with me. I’m sitting in a comfortable chair, typing these words and overwhelmed by God. As I’m typing – or trying to – I am worshiping him, needing him, crying to him. Nothing is wrong. My family is healthy. Our church is growing. Life is good. Yet everything is wrong. As good as everything appears, I’m in spiritual agony.” – Craig Groeschel

This past week I’ve been reading an interesting book. Perhaps it’s the book I was meant to read at this specific time in my spiritual life. It’s a book which has challenged me in more ways then one. It made me really think why I may be on my death bed with regards to my spiritual life. It made me realize that I’ve been living an adulterous lifestyle. It made me realize I’ve lost it.

It didn’t offer me all the answers, but it has got me thinking. Perhaps I’m just not heading in the right direction. Perhaps Herbet Cooper is right… I’m not driving, I’m making use of cruise control. I need to find it again.

Jesus became an everyday aspect to me. He was just something that was apart of my everyday life, but wasn’t really apart of my everyday life. Does that even make sense!?!

That got me thinking… and Craig put my thoughts across the way I needed to hear it: I’m an adulterous individual.

I’ve realized that I’ve been following a bride I shouldn’t be following. I’ve been infatuated with a bride who is not my own. Everything I’ve done for days, months possibly even years has revolved around this bride. I’ve been adulterous. She has a husband… and it’s not me…

The Church has consumed me.

I’ve realized that my eyes were not in the right area. It was all about the church and not Him.

It’s time for me to repent and change my ways… because I know and believe that He is the source of life and without Him, I will not be able to live, and the church would seize to exist…

Man Builds Noah's Ark

I received an interesting email today which I thought I would share with you. I was sent it as a joke (because of my various beliefs of the Bible). After many discussions surrounding metaphorical and literal interpretation we all had a good laugh and agreed to disagree. Ah, the beauty of conversation…

Here is Fox News insight on the story: Man Builds Noah's Ark

Here are the pictures I was sent with the email.

Life goes on….

Since my ‘I think I’m dying’ blog I’ve been receiving many questions as to how I’m doing now personally. Well, to get you all up to date, I have spent time chatting to the various mentors who keep me accountable. These guys I consider to be the best thing for me at the moment. They’re open to me being as honest as I can possibly be which is great. I thank God for you guys!

As for those who follow my blog, I thought the best way I could display where I am currently at in terms of my personal spirituality would be with one of Peculiar People’s hit songs. I’m not to sure of the story surrounding the song, but at this point it explains perfectly where I’m at.

Maybe Gary and the band were in a similar position when they wrote it. I’m not sure. I am curious though as to what the story behind these words actually is… If anyone does know of the story, I’d love to hear it.

But as I’ve moved forward, there is more… I’m now aware of that!

Water Of Love

Some days I’m in a strange place
I feel like I’m falling far from your love
I do what I don’t want to
Trying to be for you who I should be

On my own I’m going nowhere
I’m not satisfied with this at all
I’ve been waiting for your river
I’ve been waiting here for far too long

I’ve been listening to you say
That you’ll never leave me
You’ll always be there
Sometimes hard to believe you
When I cannot see you
I don’t want to doubt

Take me to the river
Let me sink into your water of love
I just want to know that you are with me
As I walk through this life

We are heroes...

We are heroes...

You to can be a hero - www.lifechurch.tv/int

Saving Private Ryan

I just finished watching Saving Private Ryan (I know I'm a bit behind!!). A rather rough movie to watch if you’re not into war movies… there was a lot of blood…but none the less I felt drawn to the story. It reminded me of my life as a follower of Christ within the Church.

The film covered many issues which we face in our day to day lives. Issues such as ethics, leadership etc. There are many things within the movie and I’m sure Glen, Rob and Wayne would have a filed trip with this one…

The one point I immediately connected with was the discussion on how one would respond to an officer who gave the platoon the mission. Depending on the rank, the responses changed. Kinda got me thinking about the life of the Christian… we moan and groan to the person sitting next to us but are polite and sincere to the pastor, bishop etc.

There is plenty in this film worthy of discussion. Issues such as faith and violence in one film… I’m always keen for a chat and some coffee if you wanna explore the movie further.

Otherwise, what did you guys think of the movie?

Could this be the worlds worst employee?

For my American readers, CUM books is a local Christian book store here in South Africa. Imagine you called your local Christian book store and got a response like this!!! I really think I need to stress the importance of reading one's CV when considering employing them... just a thought!!!

I think I’m dying…

My time under the guidance of wise theologians is rapidly coming to an end and it is now that I am beginning to be faced with the question I really didn’t and don’t want to answer. I’m finally being forced to answer it. The question I kept running away from. The question I kept turning my eyes from.

I was faced with it during my time at college, but I just ignored it. I thought I was imagining things. But it seems I was wrong. It’s real. It’s a very real question…

Perhaps it’s not just one question… perhaps it’s a couple of questions…

Am I a code red patient?

Am I staring death in the eyes?

Am I spiritually dying?

Or worse yet, am I already dead?

I’m not saying that I have lost all faith in Jesus. With my knowledge of Him and His work, I doubt I ever will. Well, I hope I never will… What I am saying is this… I like Him. I enjoy following Him. I enjoy ‘being’ His follower…

Thing is I feel like my spirituality is either dead or on the verge of dying.

Could it be perhaps because of the immense amount of pressure I was under to make sure I complete the work load at college? Could it be that because I was so pressurized into doing things at a rapid pace I’ve emotionally given in? Could it just be that I’m fed up with Christ’s followers? Am I just tired of Christianity? Am I just tired of religion?

I’m not really sure to be honest.

I don’t know what’s going on inside of me…

I’m trying to open up my heart. I’m trying to see what I look like from the inside out. I’m trying to see what He sees… but I can’t…

I just can’t…

I just don’t seem to get ‘it’ like the others anymore...

I’m bored…

It seems there’s supposed to be more…

There is meant to be more right?